Plymouth's downtown parking deck, described as "in fair to good condition" by an outside consultant, is in need of repairs that officials say are expected to cost nearly $455,000.

The two-level central parking structure poses no imminent danger, officials say, but it is due for the sixth and latest facelift since it was built in 1983.

"The parking deck is like your house, except on a bigger scale," said Tony Bruscato, Plymouth Downtown Development Authority director. "We have to do renovations all the time to make sure any small problems are taken care of. About every five years, we do a major renovation to make sure it's safe and repaired properly for longevity."

The structure, which holds about 300 vehicles, is a critical component for parking for residents, workers and visitors going to and from Plymouth's downtown shops and restaurants.

Kalamazoo-based Carl Walker, a restoration and preservation consultant, has estimated the repairs at $453,780. Bruscato said local officials are hopeful the work can be completed this year, but that is not a certainty.

Carl Walker recommended the work be done this year or next.

When it does happen, work crews will have to close off portions of the deck, but Bruscato said the goal is to avoid a complete shutdown.

"We try our best to still make it accessible in some form," he said.

Carl Walker will help the DDA choose a contractor for the job — the first makeover since 2012.

"It appears that most of the (previous) repairs are performing well and the garage is in fair to good condition," the company wrote in a report.

Carl Walker has recommended work such as repairing concrete beams, columns and walls due to corrosion; fixing asphalt to prevent potential trip hazards; repairing leaking joint sealants on the second level; coating the deck; cleaning and painting the east stair; and upgrading the lighting to a more efficient LED system, among other repairs.

The company said a complete replacement of the asphalt surface on the first level should be done within the next 20 years.

Bruscato said the repairs will be paid from the DDA's budget, depleting a significant amount of its $600,000 balance, but DDA officials will move to rebuild it as it captures certain tax revenues in the downtown area.

The DDA was formed in the early 1980s for the purpose of building the parking deck.